I have found a fanbase more delusional than UD's

[MADXSTER]

Gary, I also recall some criticism on this board for the quick hire of Miller. Most of that was from those not in the know.

I asked a friend of mine within the program about Miller prior to the hiring. He said, "He's the smartest person I've ever come across in basketball". Later, after the hire, he said, "It was a no brainer". He was very excited about the future of Xavier basketball after the hire. At the time it made me optimistic but I still wasn't jumping in with both feet like he was.

In regards to MU. It is a better league, however, IMO Xavier has a much, much better program.

[Mr. Neutral]

I'm not saying that the criticism was warranted, but just that it was there at the time.

And, of course, we've got the luxury of 4 years worth of hindsight. The move looks like a no-brainer now, but maybe not as much at the time.

[MADXSTER]

Later, after the hire, he said, "It was a no brainer".

This was a couple of days after the hire.

[Mr. Neutral]

I'm not sure what we're arguing about here, but my only point is that the sports world is littered with "no-brainer" hires that turned out to be disasters (see Dave Wannstedt with the Bears, and dozens of others). Many of the college b-ball head coaches who are being fired as we speak were "no-brainers" when hired.

[xuhuh!]

Marquette, as a program, certainly WAS a step up from X at one point. I'd say it isn't now, and the main/only thing it has going for it is its Big East affiliation.

Here's an easy way to decide if it's a step up-our coach decided to pass on the IU job, and MU's coach decided to take it.

Xcellent point, Mr. Neutral!!!

[X-Expert]

Marquette fan here and I come in peace. I couldn't help but notice this thread and had to come and defend the Marquette program. I guess I am curious to know exactly what kind of job you think Marquette is?? You scoffed at some of the names some Marquette fans threw out.

What some of you don't apparently understand is that Marquette is the BEST job available in College Basketball right now. This is the Big East, and there will be no shortage of PRIME candidates(I think some of the names that will apply for this job would shock a lot of people).

Marquette is also capable of paying 2.5-3.0 million per year for the right guy. I don't know how realistic a guy like Calipari is, but I do agree with the original MU poster that said that is a call that HAS to be made. It would have to be tempting to move from Conference USA to the best basketball conference in the land wouldn't you think?? Just as it would have to be VERY tempting to move from the A10, to a conference as prestigious as the BE and especially if you can do it for 2.0 million plus wouldn't you agree??

Marquetteman, I agree with most of your assessment. Don't know if its the best job right now because that depends on the coach that would take it. Mike Montgomery chose California because he lives in the west coast. I do agree that Marquette is a great job as any D-1 job particularly in the Big East. However, if the conference is so good, why would anyone leave that conference? More important, why would a coach of 9 years leave for a Big Ten school with all kinds of issues hanging over their head. At least Crean thinks that IU with their issues is still better than the "devil" you know. I believe a job depends on the coach solely. The Big East is somewhat overrated in my opinion but top to bottom, a very good conference-MUCH better than the A-10. However, to think that any Big East school is a better job than any non-BCS school is crazy. Having said that, I do think Marquette is a great fit particularly for the likes of a "mid-major" type progam-even if it is just a perception. All that being said, I would think Miller looks at X as better or as good as Marquette and with the recruiting class in place that he built, he would be leaving a lot behind right now. I do like Marquette and hope they get the right guy. Good luck.

[X-Expert]

In fairness Marquette averaged 15,345 in attendance for 2007 which was good for 14th in the NCAA by contrast Xavier came in at 9,910. Conference affiliation may not be the end all but it is good for one thing, money. Marquette received the lowest payout from the Big East in 2006 at $1,546,022, Xavier received the highest payout from the A-10 at $500,917. Marquette will have money to throw at a new coach. They may well have been overpaying Crean based on recent performance. Of course that money will take a major dive should the Big East split and maybe Crean saw the writing on the wall regarding that.
No doubt Xavier has been more successful in recent years however Marquette is one of the few teams to reach the final 4 from a non bcs conference.

Bearcat65, agree with all your points and as I said earlier, it depends on the coach and their motivation. Impressed that you took the time to peruse a Xavier website and locate all the financial implications. You're right, X has been more successful in recent years than the majority of the BCS teams. Final four aside, that is the next step as it is for most teams in the country.